Support Worker

Job description

About

Could you be one of our next Support Workers?

We're looking for reliable and motivated Support Workers to join our team at Sense College Knapwell, supporting young adults with complex disabilities to access learning, develop their independence and get the most out of everyday life.

We have multiple fixed-term opportunities available until July 2027, with various hours available, with a salary of £13.10 per hour. You'll work Monday to Friday between 9:15am and 4:15pm, for 39 weeks per year (term time) £13.10. There are no evening, weekend or shift-working requirements, and opportunities for overtime may be available. Contracts may be renewed depending on student numbers.

Please note: Sense College Knapwell is not accessible by public transport, so you'll need reliable alternative arrangements for travelling to and from the College.

As a Support Worker, you'll provide high-quality, person-centred support to young adults with complex communication needs, learning difficulties and physical disabilities, helping them develop their skills and achieve their individual learning goals.

You'll support learners to take part in meaningful educational activities, develop their independence and communication skills, and access opportunities within their local community. A big part of your role will be encouraging learners to make choices, build their confidence and take an active role in their everyday lives.

Communication is at the heart of what we do. We use a total communication approach, which may include British Sign Language (BSL), Sign Supported English, on-body signing, intensive interaction, pictorial symbols, objects of reference, communication aids, facial expressions and body language. You'll be supported to develop the communication skills needed to meet each learner's individual needs.

The duties are varied and no two days will be the same. You may support learners with personal care, mobility, health and wellbeing, as well as helping them participate in activities that reflect their interests, abilities and aspirations.

What we're looking for:

We're looking for people who are caring, reliable and committed to providing genuinely person-centred support.

You'll need:

A positive attitude towards supporting young adults with complex disabilities

The ability to work independently as well as part of a team

The ability to adapt your communication style to meet the needs of the people you support

A willingness to develop new communication skills, including signs and symbols where required

The ability to support learners with their personal care and everyday activities

Confidence using your own initiative and good judgement

A creative, person-centred approach to problem solving

The ability to build positive working relationships with learners, colleagues and others

Reliable transport arrangements to travel to and from the College, as there is no public transport serving the site

Previous experience or qualifications in care or support work aren't essential, as full training will be provided.

Experience supporting people with sensory impairments, learning difficulties or complex needs would be an advantage, as would knowledge of communication methods such as BSL or Makaton.

A full UK manual driving licence and willingness to drive would also be desirable.

About Sense College Knapwell

Sense College Knapwell is located in the village of Knapwell, approximately 10 miles outside Cambridge and within travelling distance of Huntingdon, St Neots and St Ives.

We provide specialist education and support designed around the individual needs, interests and aspirations of our learners.

Our programmes focus on developing communication, independence and everyday living skills, using the Sense Curriculum Framework to create individualised learning goals and celebrate each learner's achievements.

We offer a wide range of activities, both at the College and within the local community, including:

Communication and creative arts

Therapies and physical activities

Life skills and independent living programmes

Community access and enrichment activities

Educational visits and experiences tailored to learners' interests and abilities

Our specialist teaching and support teams work together to create an inclusive environment where every learner is listened to, encouraged to achieve and supported to reach their full potential.

Working at Sense gives you a wide range of benefits including:

24 days' holiday + bank holiday entitlement; increasing with length of service

Free DBS Check

Free leadership and management development

Free access to over 100 online and face-to-face training opportunities

Ongoing development opportunities

Flexible working and family-friendly policies

Employee referral scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Pension Scheme

Discount scheme

About Sense

Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That's why we're committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger.

We know there's always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we're working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.

If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the Talent Acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role.

Our Values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers:

We're creating change

We're always learning

We're better together

Ready to make a difference?

To apply